To find out how the name Canada came about, we must go back to the 16th century. At that time, the French dreamed of discovering and controlling more land across the world. In 1535 Francois I, King of France, ordered a navigator (航海家) named Jacques Cartier to explore the New world and search for a passage to India.
Cartier first arrived at the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, which he wanted to explore. He did not know
what to expect but he hoped that this Gulf was just an arm of the ocean between two islands. If it
was, he would soon be on his way to the Far East. So he sailed upwards along the St. Lawrence
River. However, instead of reaching Asia he arrived at Quebec or Stadacona, as the Indians called
it. It was at this point that the term “Canada” entered the country’s history. Clearly the word
“Canada” came from an Indian word “Kanata”, which means village. Cartier first used it when he
referred to Stadacona or Quebec. What a huge “village” Canada is!
57. What was Cartier ordered to do?
A. To build a new country
B. To find the New World
C. To get in touch with the American Indians
D. To know more about America and find a new way to Asia
58. When Cartier reached the Gulf of St. Lawrence he hoped ________.
A. he had got to the Far East B. it was a water way to the New World
C. it was a water way to the Far East D. he had sailed into the Pacific
59. Which of the following is TRUE according to the passage?
A. Quebec and Stadacona were tow islands.
B. The Indian language for village is Stadacona.
C. Quebec and Stadacona were two villages in Canada.
D. Stadacona was what the Indians called Quebec.
60. Canada was first used to refer to __________.
A. Asia B. the New World C. a village D. Quebec
